Orange County Focus

ANAHEIM : 3-Day Workweek for Police Is on Agenda

The City Council is scheduled Tuesday to consider a proposal that would give rank-and-file police officers workweeks of three 12-hour days.

Proponents say the plan, approved by the Anaheim Police Officers Assn. two weeks ago by a 256-41 vote, would allow more officers to be on patrol during high-crime periods by allowing for overlapping shifts. If approved by the council, the plan could take effect as early as April, city officials said.

Under the plan, officers would work a 36-hour week but get paid for 40 hours. The extra four hours would be "banked" and could be used by the city in case of a disaster or civil disturbance.

Some law enforcement professionals have criticized 12-hour workdays because they say officers may become fatigued and prone to errors toward the end of their shifts. Anaheim police officers work nine-hour shifts, working five days one week and four days the next.

If approved, Anaheim will become the sixth Orange County police department to adopt a three-day workweek, joining La Palma, Laguna Beach, Los Alamitos, San Clemente and Seal Beach.